Often it’s not easy to “unscrew” the top from the vacuum packed glass jars
( think jam, gherkins) .
Usually I’m able to apply a proper grip, but instead of risking to break the glass
I turn the jar upside down and insert sharp can opener to let some air in … problem solved.
Are there any more civilized ways of opening those jars ?
Assuming it’s not rusted shut or anything like that, you need to break the vacuum seal. Besides your method, you can try tapping on the side with something solid, like a knife handle (not the sharp kind, the kind you make peanut butter sandwiches with).
I have a circular rubber grippy thing with some realtor’s name and logo on it that I usually grab to get a better grip. Failing that, whap the edge of the lid sharply on the counter or with whatever’s handy.
The wife whaps the bottle on the cabinet top. I tend to smack the lid tangentally with the handle of a bread knife.
Take a butterknife and thwack with the back of the blade at the top rim of the cap around in a circle. Try opening it again.
Don’t hit it hard enough to break the glass of course. The cap will be left with a bunch of marks, but it will still close just fine. And of course the jar deserved to be hit.
I am a caveman, so I just … well… open them.
For more civilised humans, I suggest the good ol’ hot water method. Briefly run the lid of the jar under the hot tap, taking care to avoid getting too much water on the glass. The metal expands but the glass doesn’t. Then use a dry rag to open the thing.
If tapping the lid doesn’t work, I use a plastic thingie that I bought at one of those kitchen gadget parties.
It’s wedge-shaped with serrated metal teeth on one edge. Just slip it over the jar top (any size jar) and give it a turn. The teeth don’t grab the lid – they grab underneath. Works great and doesn’t require any exertion.
I use one of these.
I usually turn the lid anti-clockwise. It helps to use your hands.
I usually turn the lid anti-clockwise
does it mean that occasionally you turn it clockwise ?
Grab hard. Turn lid.
If it’s still stuck, use percussive maintenance and thwack that lid smack in the middle with the heel of my hand. Repeat step one.
If that doesn’t work, it means all the sugary stuff inside is glueing down the lid, so soak upside down in hot water.
Push pin right in the middle. Seal hole with tape. Works for me.
I stick a teaspoon between the jar and the lip of the lid and let the break the seal. Then the lid twists right off. My mom always did this. I have always done this. Easy as pie.
If simple torsional brute force won’t do it without joint pain, turn the rascal upside down and bonk it straight down on a countertop or the floor; then it will come right off. It scares my dog, but it works. Oddly, keeping it right side up and whacking it hard with a rubber mallet rarely works as well.
My wrists are hurting, just thinking about it. I have a textured rubber thingie from a local bank and a lever advantage-and-teeth device from Brookstone, but they don’t work as well as the upside down bonk.
I have a plastic doohickey that I bought at a close out store. It’s about four inches long, about 3/4 inch wide, has a round loop on one end, and at the bottom of the loop it has a little finger that hooks under the lid, while the loop holds the top of the lid. Apply a little leverage, and the lid’s seal is broken, making the jar easy to unscrew. The nonlooped end has a slot for a pop can’s loop to go into. Again, a little leverage, and the pop can is opened while fingernails stay unbroken.
So THAT’s what that little doohickey in my junk drawer is! Go figure.
“Honey! Can you come in here?”
Bugger off! The cricket’s on.
(No wonder I’m divorced. 
)
My sister was a cook in a northern logging camp many moons ago, and she opened a great number of jars. Her method, which has worked well for me too, is to turn the jar upside down and rap it firmly on the counter or bread board or whatever, four times, in say, the 12 o’clock position, then six, then nine o’clock, then three. Does that make sense? Top, bottom, left, right is how she always did it when I watched her. Four good raps. Then, she’d just take that lid off, no problem.
I have the rubber mat thing, if I have a grip problem. Other than that it’s just clench the teeth, let a few veins pop up and GRRRRRRRRRR!!!
My parent’s had a Gilhoolie that’s a fun kitchen gadget.